Dual-axis with Phase Control

Multi-Loop with Phase Control

Multi-loop phase control synchronizes two or more shakers moving on the same axis while maintaining phase through level changes. It is achieved by using 2, 3, or 4 outputs of a VR10500. The drive and COLA outputs from one controller drive multiple shakers with the same test profile. The result is a synchronized set of shakers, ideal for full system testing of a larger device.

Test Systems

A multi-loop test with phase control requires a VR10500 with multiple loops enabled. The primary VR10500 controller must drive all outputs, but the system can have stacked controllers for more than 16 inputs (up to 512).

The Sine, Random, Shock, and Field Data Replication (FDR) test modes can run 2, 3, or 4 output drive loops simultaneously, but they have different control capabilities.

Random
Run random tests with Gaussian amplitude distribution.

• Up to 26,000 lines of control
• Supports over 9,999 breakpoints, suitable for virtually any test specification
• Each control loop can have a unique test profile and limits
• Includes independent, magnitude and phase, magnitude-only, and equal outputs control
• “Run For” schedule level can have an independent modifier

Field Data Replication
Playback a recorded time-history file as a control reference; the output phase is synchronized.

Sine
Run a single frequency sine tone at a defined amplitude and time.

• Each control loop uses the same profile, but the user can adjust the phase angle between the two outputs (±360 degrees)
• Control how fast the phase control loop updates in Magnitude and phase control
• Limit how fast the phase between the output channels changes
• Includes magnitude and phase, magnitude-only, and equal outputs control

Shock/SRS
Run an industry-standard pulse or a user-defined transient pulse; the output phase is synchronized.

Graphing

Graph settings include a control loop section, and the user can select which control loop demand, control, tolerance, and abort traces to plot. Any loop can be the reference for the transmissibility plot.

Dual-axis Phase Control

Dual-axis phase control (or dualling shakers) is a type of multi-loop phase control. Two shakers are in a push-push configuration if they face the same direction. When facing one another, they are in a push-pull configuration.

VR10500 I/O Unit

Vibration Research’s high channel count control hardware for vibration and shock testing. Scalable to 512 channels and compatible with all electrodynamic and servo-hydraulic shakers. Features include up to 256kHz sample rate and 4 outputs for multiple shakers.

Multi-loop Random Test Using COLA

To perform multi-loop control in Random using the COLA output, the controller:

• Must include the Dual-loop Random Control key
• Must not include the COLA key

Additionally, the COLA output must be set to “Dualing Shakers” or “Control Only” in the VibrationVIEW software.

Test Specifications

Dualling shaker control in Random includes four control methods:

• Equal outputs: the outputs are always the same magnitude and phase (all shakers receive the same drive signal.) Essentially a software-level BNC T-Adapter. (Unavailable for Control Only.)
• Independent: the drive outputs are always the same signal. The COLA outputs are disabled. (Unavailable for Control Only.)
• Magnitude only: the drive output controls the magnitude of the first control channel, and the COLA output controls the magnitude of the second control channel.
• Magnitude and phase: the magnitude and phase of the drive output are based on the first control channel, and the magnitude and phase of the COLA output are based on the second control channel.

Additional Features

• Combine control channels using the average of selected channels
• Apply the memorized drive feature

Plotting Multiple Loops

In Magnitude only or Magnitude and Phase control, the COLA trace is available on the following graphs:

• Output Drive vs. Freq
• Output Drive vs. Time
• Output Drive RMS History